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Two University of Botswana (UB) academics, Professors Dolly Ntseane and Kholisani Solo have launched a groundbreaking book on social protection. Professor Kholisani Solo is the Coordinator of the UB Legal Clinic under the Department of Law while Professor Dolly Ntseane Affiliate Researcher from the Department of Social Work. The book titled “Social Protection in Botswana: Socio-Economic and Legal Perspectives” marks a significant milestone in the discourse on social welfare and policy development in Botswana.

In her remarks during the launch of the book, Professor Ntseane, expressed gratitude for the wisdom, energy, and perseverance that propelled them to complete the project. Professor Ntseane further thanked the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) for the financial support, which made the publication of the book possible. Notably, FES has been a steadfast partner in advocating for social protection reforms since 2001, facilitating numerous conferences and initiatives in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Professor Ntseane observed that the book's genesis harks back to the authors' involvement in drafting the SADC CODE on Social Protection, a seminal document adopted by SADC Heads of States in 2008. She acknowledged Dr. John Ntseane's invaluable contributions as a researcher and the expertise of other academics, including Professor Rodreck Mupedziswa and Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi. Professor Happy Siphambe wrote the foreword for the book. In addition, he provided helpful comments, valuable insights and critical input.

Furthermore, Professor Ntseane expressed gratitude to policy makers, programme implementers, and their respective families for their unwavering support throughout the book's development.

She highlighted that the new edition of the book builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, published in 2007. She added that the book reflects the evolving landscape of social protection, offering critical analysis, and recommendations to address emerging risks and vulnerabilities across different stages of life.

Professor Ntseane said key highlights of the book include an examination of government policies and legal frameworks guiding social protection interventions, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of existing programmes, and recommendations for improvement. Moreover, it underscores the Government's commitment to inclusive social protection interventions as articulated in Vision 2036 and the National Social Protection Framework of 2018.

The book's relevance extends beyond academia, catering for policymakers, practitioners, civil society organisations, and researchers alike. It serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding and advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations, driving positive change in social welfare policies and programmes.

The authors emphasise the importance of monitoring and evaluation in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of social protection schemes. They urge practitioners to adopt the Theory of Change as an analytic framework and highlight the need for continued research to evaluate the impact of these interventions.

Social Protection in Botswana: Socio-Economic and Legal Perspectives” promises to be a cornerstone in the ongoing discourse on social welfare, offering invaluable insights and recommendations for creating a more equitable and inclusive society.